Device for holding and separating a plurality of apertured plates having wire terminals in the apertures thereof



Oct. 17, 1961 E. D. HANSON 3,004,

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND SEPARATING A PLURALITY OF APERTURED PLATES HAVING WIRE TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THEREOF Filed Aug. 7, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 a? 719.5. 7/ 7X 4% [Z W i7 I Q J H w ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1961 E. D. HANSON 3,004, 34

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND SEPARATING A PLURALITY 0F APERTURED PLATES HAVING WIRE TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THEREOF 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7, 1958 ATTORNEY 3,004,334 Y OF Oct. 17, 1961 E. D. HANSON DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND SEPARATING A PLURALIT APERTURED PLATES HAVING WIRE TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THEREOF 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 7, 1958 I a? ATTORNEY BY Q..C.

Oct. 17, 1961 E. D. HANSON 3,004,

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND SEPARATING A PLURALITY OF APERTURED PLATES HAVING WIRE TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THEREOF Filed Aug. 7, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Z. J/ffdiZW/Z Z? BY Q, c M11 I ATTOR BY Oct. 17, 1961 E. D. HANSON 3,004,334

DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND SEPARATING A PLURALITY 0F APERTUREID PLATES HAVING WIRE TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THEREOF 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. '7, 1958 I INVENTOR Z? Bf/mmsaza BY GA Mau ATTORNEY n avicls FOR HOLDI E. D. HANSON 3,004,334 NG AND SEPARATING A PLURALITY OF. APERTURED PLATES HAVING WIRE TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THEREOF Filed Aug. 7, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 7 .T\ 2 I mp a 3,; M 5; i 5 F m y a, W0 in Z W l FREE 15. fi K73 65% i7 United States PatentfO 3,004,334 DEVICE FOR HGLDING AND SEPARATING, .A PLURALITY, F RIUB D. PLATES HAVING TERMINALS IN THE APERTURES THERE- 0F Estyle D. Hanson, Baltimore, Md., assigns r to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New o'rk Filed Aug. 7, 1958, Ser'. No. 753,795 6 Claims; (Cl. 29-203) This invention relates to devices for holding and separating a plurality of apertured plates having wn'e terminals in the apertures thereof, and more particularly,- although not exclusively, to devices for holding a plurality of apertured end plates during the formation of cage-like terminal strip subassemblies and separating the end plates in the communications industry to facilitate the wiring of relay racks or other telephone apparatus requiring a multiplicity of circuit connections. The cast resin terminal assemblies are formed by casting plastic in all of the space between the end plates or a cage-like subassem'bly.

The completed cage like suhassembly includes a pair of generally rectangular, similarly shaped end or retaining plates formed from a stiif plastic material. Each of the plates in one type of subassembly is provided with five rows of eight axially spaced apertures. The apertures are square in cross section, and are designed to receive a plurality of elongated, rod-like terminals made up of square, hard drawn, brass wire, or the like, which is capable of being twisted axially and retaining a twisted set. The terminals are twisted prior to their insertion are separated to retain the terminals therein by resulting torques set up as a result of the axial pretwistin the terminals.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved end-plate holding and separating devices.

Another object of the present invention is toiprovide a device' for holding a plurality of apertured end plates in close proximity to each other with the apertures therein aligned for the insertion of p'retwisted, rod like terminals, and separatingthe plates longitudinally of the terminals for locking the terminals and end plates together to form .acagedike terminal strip subassembly.

from the device.

into the apertures of the end plates, and the end plates In attaining these and other objects, a device embodying certain aspects of the present invention may include means for holding the end plates adjacent to each other with the apertures thereof inaligned relationship, means for feeding the end plates into the end-plate holding means, means for supplying pretwisted wire terminals,

3,964,334 Patented Oct. 17, 1961 ice axes thereof into the aligned apertures of the end plates and therethrough predetermined distances, means for separating the end plates to lock the terminals and the end plates together and form a cage-like terminal strip subassembly, means for maintaining the terminals in predetermined positions during the separation of the end plates, and means for ejecting a subassembly from the device.

Other objects and features of the present invention may be more readily understoodfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof when read in conjunction Withthe accompanying drawings, in which: i &

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a device embodying certain aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross sectional View of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along line 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, cross=sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 thereof;

FIG-4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken along line 4--4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 5 in a different operating position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, exploded view of a portion of the'apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, exploded view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG; 1, which combined with FIG. 7 forms a-substantial portion of the end-plate feeding, holding, and ejecting device;

9is a'vl'ewof a; port-ion ofthe' movable end-plate holder of FIG. 8 with portions thereof removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 taken along line Ill-10 thereof;

FIGS. 11 to 15, inclusive,- illustrateschematically various successive operating positions of the feeding and ejecting:portions and holding and separating portions of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a completed cage-like terminal 'strip subass'enibly.

14*24 in the endplate Z2 correspond exactly with the positionsof the apertures 24-44 formed in the end plate 23. The apertures 2424 are designed to receive a plurality of none'ircular terminals 26-26, 27--27, 28-2 8, 29--29' and 3131-, which are cut to predetermined lengths from indefinite lengths of eight supply Wires 32- 32 (FIG. 3) afterthe supply wires 3%32 have been insorted into the aligned apertures 24 -24: in the end plates 22 and 23.

Prior'to' the assembly of the end plates 22 and 23 and the terminals 226, 27'27, 2-8 -28, 29-29 and 31 31 to'form' the subassemhlies' 21, the supply Wires 32-'-32; froni which the terminals are formed, are provided individually with'predetermi'ned a'xial pretwist sets. The adjacent terminals 26-26, 27--27, 28-28, 2929 and 31 '31 ineach TOW are given opposite-hand axial pretwis't' sets of the same magnitude. During the assembly of the end plates 22 and 23 and terminals to form the subassem-bly, the end plates are held in close prox- 3 imity with respect to each other and aligned with their corresponding apertures 24-24 in mating relationship.

The leading ends 36-36 of the portion of the eight supply wires 32-32 which form the respective row of terminals 26-26 are fed simultaneously a predetermined distance through the corresponding aligned apertures 24-24. The supply wires 32-32 are then severed by suitable cutting means (not shown), such as is disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 753,683, filed on August 7, 1958, to form the row of terminals 26-26 of predetermined lengths. The new leading ends 37-37 of the supply wires 32-32 are indexed to the second row of apertures 24-24 in the end plates 22 and 23, and the feeding and cutting operation is repeated to form the second row of terminals 27-27 and new leading ends 38-38 in a similar manner. The indexing and cutting operation is then repeated to form the third, fourth and fifth rows of terminals 28-28, 29-29 and 31-31, respectively, and new leading ends 39-39, 41-41 and 36-36 in a similar manner. 7

After the five rows of terminals 26-26, 27-27, 28-28, 29-29 and 31-31 have been inserted into the five rows of apertures 24-24, the end plates 22 and 23 are separated a predetermined distance whereby the rows of terminals and the plates are locked together by the resultant torque set up as a result of the opposite axial pretwist sets placed in the supply wires 32-32 prior to their insertion into the apertures.

Referring now to the remaining figures of the drawings, there is shown a device for initially holding the plastic end plates 22 and 23 closely together with the apertures 24-24 in mating alignment and for subsequently separating the end plates 22 and 23 to form a finished cast resin terminal block subassembly 21.

The device includes a stationary end-plate holder, designated generally by the numeral 42, and a movable endplate holder, designated generally by the numeral 43. The stationary end-plate holder 42 is provided with five spaced parallel slots 44-44. The slots 44-44 are open at the left-hand ends thereof, as viewed in FIGS. '4 and 7, and are designed for receiving thefive spaced rows of terminals 26-26, 27-27, 28-28, 29-29 and 31-31 of the subassembly 21. For this purpose the slots 44-44 are aligned accurately with corresponding rows of apertures 24-24 of the plastic end plates 22 and 23, which are received within suitable retaining channels 46 and 47 formed in the end-plate holders 42 and 43, respectively. A springbiased, pivotable, retaining member 45 is provided to project into the channel 47 of the end-plate holder 43 to limit the movement of the end plate 23 as it is inserted therein.

The stationary end-plate holder 42 is provided also with two rows of eight equally spaced vertical bores 48-48 (FIG. 3) formed therein, into which two rows of eight guide pins 49-49 are received slidably. The guide pins 49-49 are secured adjacent to the upper ends a to a laterally extending bracket 51 designed to be moved vertically by means of a push rod 52. A suitably shaped cam 53, driven rotatably by a camshaft '54, .reciprocates the push rod 52 in a timed relationship with respect to the operation of the other elementsof the device.

The bracket 51 is moved vertically between a raised position, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the guide pins 49-49 are substantially withdrawn from the bores 48-48 and a lower position wherein the pins 49-49 extend completely into the bores 48-48 and cooperate with the slots 44-44 to guide the leading ends36-36, 37-37, 38-38, 39-39 and 41-41 of the feed wires 32-32 into the apertures 24-24 of the end plates 22 and 23 positioned in the retaining channels 46 and 47 in the respective end-plate holders 42 and 43.

The movable end-plate holder 43 is mounted on a slidable member 56 received within a dovetail slot 57 (FIG. 10) formed by the cooperation of two elongated guide members 58-58 and a portion 59 of a frame, designated end-plate holder 42, and a terminal-locking position, as

illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the end plates 22 and 23 are separated a desired predetermined distance, as in the finished subassembly 21.

The reciprocation of the movable end-plate holder 43 is accomplished by means of a camshaft 54 which rotates a drum-type cam 62 which, in turn, operates a linkage, designated generally by the numeral 63, connected slidably to a cam follower 93 in a groove 94 therein, pivotably at an intermediate portion to a depending portion 60 of the frame 61, and pivotably adjustable by an eccentric pin 65 at the opposite end to the slidable member 56 and thus to the movable endplate holder 43. p

In its retracted position, the movable end-plate holder 43 is positioned for receiving the plastic end plate 23 from a feeding and ejecting mechanism, designated generally by the numeral 64. The feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 includes a pair of magazines 66 and 67 for storing the two difierent types of plastic end plates 22-22 and 23-23 used in making the terminal strip subassembly 21. The plastic end plates 22-22 and 23-23 in the respective magazines 66 and 67 are urged toward each other by spring-biased plates 68 and 69, respectively. The plastic end plates 22 and 23 are fed one at a time into guide tracks 71 and 72 associated with the magazines 66 and 67, respectively. The magazines 66 and 67 are provided with spring-biased switch-actuating means 70-70 connected to an appropriate electrical circuit (not shown) to notify the operator that the supply of end plates 22and/or 23 is nearly depleted.

The feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 'is designed to push-a pair of end plates 22 and 23 from their respective magazines 66 and 67 into the retaining channels 46 and 47 provided in the stationary end-plate holder 42 and movable end-plateholder 43, respectively. The feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 includes two pusher members 74 and'76 attached adjustably to a slide member 77 and a. pusher member, designated generally by the numeral 78, which along with the pusher member 74 is attached pivotally and adjustably to the slide member 77 by means of pins 79-79.

When the feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 is in its retracted position preparatory to a feeding and ejecting operation, as shown in FIG. 11, the pusher members 74 and 76 are in abutting contact with the rear edge of the end plates 22 and 23, respectively, in the magazines 66 and 67, respectively, and the free end of the pivotable pusher member 78 is positioned to the right of the end plate 23 positioned in the stationary end-plate holder 42, as viewed in FIGS. 1:1 to 15 inclusive. When the feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 is moved initially by means of the camshaft 54, a cam 81 and a suitable linkage 82 (FIG. 4), the free end 83'ofthe pivotable pusher member 78 moves to. the left, as-viewed in FIGS. 11 to 15, inclusive, so that the projecting portion84 thereof moves between the plate 22 in the end-plate holder 42 and the end' plate 22 in the magazine 66. Upon further movement of the feeding andejecting mechanism 64 by means of the cam'81 and linkage 82, the pusher member 76 forces the end plate 23 from the magazine 67 against the end plate 23 in the movable end-plate holder 43. Simul taneously therewith, the pusher member 74 and pivotable member 78 push the end plates 22-22 positioned in the magazine 66 and in the stationary end-plate holder 42, respectively, to eject a formed subassembly 21 and feed subsequent plates 22 and 23 into the stationary and movable end-plate holders 42 and 43, respectively, in preparation for the assembly of a new subassembly'21. When the feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 is returned to its retracted position, the free end 83 of the pivotable pusher member 78 moves to the right, as viewed in FIGS, I l to 15, inclusive, to free it from the end plate 22 positioned in the stationaryend-plate holder 42. The free end 83 of the pusher member 78 is caused to pivot as a result of a spring-biased friction member 85 (FIG. applying force to the pusher member 74, which is mounted pivotally to and eccentrically with respect to the slide member 77.

A stepped abutting member 86 is positioned in a slot '87 in the slidable member 56 and mounted fixedly in the dovetailed slot 57 andto the portion59 of the frame 61 which cooperates with the elongated guide members 58-58 to form the dovetailed slot 57. The stop member 86 is utilized to provide a posit'ive stop for the leading ends 36-36, 37-37, 38-38, 39-39 and 41-41 of the supply Wires 32 -32 after they have been fed predetermineddistairces throu h the apertures 24-24 in the end plates 22 and 23.

A slotted guide 88 is' provided intermediate the movable end-plate holder 43 and the abutting member 86 to guide the supply 'wires 32-32 extending therebetween. The guide 88 is mounted sliadably in a slot 89 in the upper portion of the stepped abutting member 86. The

guide 88 is moved into its normal position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, by the linkage 63, operated by the cam 62, abutting and pushing it to the left as viewed in FIGS 1, 3 and 5, during the positioning of the endplate holder 43 adjacent to the holder 42 in preparation for the insertion of the supply wires 32-32 into the end plates 22 and 23. The guide 88 is moved into the position shown in FIG. 6 by the movable end plate holder 43 during the separation of end plates 22 and 23 in the finished subassembly 21.

Operation At the beginning of the operation in which the terminal block subassembly 21 is formed, the camshaft 54, through which the sequence of operation of the apparatus is controlled, is rotated and the slide member 56 is in its retracted position. The end plate holder 43, mounted on the slide member 56, is positioned with its retaining channel 47 aligned for receiving an end plate 23 fed from the magazine GT-by thefeeding and ejecting mechanisru 64'. a r

The feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 is then operated t'o insert the plastic end plates 22 and 23 into the retaining channels 46 and 47 of the stationary and movable end plate holders 4 2' and 43%, respectively. The cam '62 operates the slide member 56 to move the movable end plate holder 43 to its operative position immediately adjacent vt'o' the stationary end plate holder 42, and subsequently the cam 53 operates to permit the guide pins "supply wires 32-32 are then cut to predetermined lengths to form a bottom row of eight terminals 36-36. The new leading ends'37-37 of the supply wires 32-32 are -then indexed to the second row of apertures 24-24,

and the second, third, fourth and fifth rows of terminals 27-27, 28-28, 29-29 and 31-31 are formed in a similar'manner by inserting the feed wires 32-32 into the rows of apertures 24-24 and cutting them to predetermined lengths.

when all of the terminals 26-26, 27-27, 28-28, 29-29 and 31-31 have been inserted into the apertures '24, the cam 62 moves the movable end plate holder 43 i to its retracted position, thereby separating theend plates 22 and 23 and locking the terminals therein by the resultant torque set up as a result of twisting the supply wires'32-32 in opposite directions. The limit of travel 6 of the movable end=plate holder 43 is controlled by an adjustable stop member (FIG. 3).

The cam- 53'then moves the push rod 52 to retractthe guide pins 49-49 substantially from the bores 48-48 in the stationary end plate holder 42, and'th'e finished subassembly '21 is then free to be removed from the endplate holders 42 and 43, to the left as viewed in FIG. 4. The completed terminal block subassembly 21 is ejected from the end-plate holders 42' and 43 by the feeding and ejecting mechanism 64 when subsequent end plates 22 and 23 are fed into place in theretaining channels46 and-4'7 in the end-plate holders 42 and 43 by the feeding and ejecting mechanism 64. During the ejection of the subassembly 21, the spring bi-asedstop retaining member 45 is caused to pivot upwardly to'permit the removal of the end plate 23 from the channel 47;

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What'is claimed is:

1. A device for holding a plurality of apertured end plates to facilitate longitudinal insertion of a plurality of elongated, pretwisted, noncircular terminals into complementary apertures of the end plates and for positioning the end plates relative to the terminals to form a cage-like terminal strip subassembly, which device comprises" a pair of end-plate holders, at least one of which is mounted for movement with respect to the other between a terminal-loading position wherein the end-plate holders are in close proximity and a terminal-locking position wherein the end-plate holders are separated widely, each of said end-plate holders having an end-plate receiving channel extending therethrough for holding an apertured end plate with the apertures thereof in an aligned relationship with the apertures in another end plate held in the other of said end-plate holders to facilitate the longitudinal insertion of terminals into the aligned apertures while the end-plate holders are in the terminaldoading position, means for successively feeding the end plates into one end of each of the channels of said end-plate holders and for ejecting the endplates with the terminals therein from the opposite ends of the channels of said end-plate holders, means for moving at least one or said end-plate holders relative to the other from the terminalloading position to the terminaldocking; position so that the end plates are separated longitudinally ofthe inserted terminals to a redetermined spacing to form a terminal strip subassembly, and means for maintaining the terminals at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to "one-another during the separation of the end plates, said end-plate holders also having o en-ended passages to permit the terminals to be inserted longitudinally into the aligned apertures of the end plates and to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the end-plate holders when the completed terminal strip-subassembly is subsequently ejected from the device.

2. A device for holding a plurality of apertured end plates to facilitate longitudinal insertion-of a plurality of elongated, pretwisted, noncircular terminals into complementary apertures of the end plates and positioning the end plates relative to the terminals to form a cage-like terminal strip subassembly, which devicecomprises a pair of end-plate holders, at least one of which is mounted for movement with respect to the other between a terminal-loading position wherein the end-plate holders are in close proximity and a terminal-locking position wherein the end-plate holders are separated widely, each of said end-plate holders having an end-plate receiving channel extending therethrough for holding an apertured end plate with the apertures thereof in an aligned relationship'with the apertures in another end plate held in the other of said end-plate holders to facilitate the longitudinal insertion of terminals into the aligned apertures While the end-plate holders are in the terminal-loading position, means for successively feeding the end. plates into one end of each of the channels of said end-plate holders and for ejecting the end plates with the terminals therein from the opposite ends of the channels of said end-plate holders, means for moving at least one of said end-plate holders relative to the other from the terminaleloading position to the terminal-locking position so that the end plates are separated longitudinally of the inserted terminals to a predetermined spacing to form a terminal strip subassembly, means for maintaining the terminals at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to one another during the separation of the end plates, said end-plate holders also having open-ended slots to permit the terminals to be inserted longitudinally into the aligned apertures of the end plates and to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the end-plate holders when the completed terminal strip subassembly is ejected from the device, a plurality of spaced, movable guide pins extending transversely with respect to said slots, said guide pins cooperating with the slots in said one end-plate holder for forming a plurality of rectangular guide passages facilitating the insertion of the terminals into the apertures, of the end plates held in said end-plate holders, and means for moving theguide pins in timed relationship with respect to feeding and ejecting means to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the open ends of the slots during the ejection of the completed terminal strip subassembly from the device.

3. A device for holding a plurality of apertured end plates to facilitate longitudinal insertion of a plurality of elongated, pretwisted, noncircular terminals into complementary apertures of the end plates and positioning the end plates relative to the terminals to form a cage-like terminal strip subassembly, which device comprises a pair of end-plate holders, at least one of which is mounted for movement with respect to the other between a terminal-loading position wherein the end-plate holders are in close proximity and a terminal-locking position wherein the end-plate holders are separated widely, each of said end-plate holders having an end-plate receiving channel extending therethrough for holding an apertured end plate with the apertures thereof in an aligned relationship with the apertures in another end plate held in the other of said end-plate holders to facilitate the longitudinal insertion of terminals into the aligned apertures while the end-plate holders are in the terminal-loading position, meansfor successively feeding the end plates into one end of each of the channels of said end-plate holders and for ejecting the end plates with the terminals therein from the opposite ends of the channels of said end-plate holders, means for moving at least one of said end-plate holders relative. to member from the terminal-loading position to the terminal-locking position sothat the end plates are separated longitudinally of the inserted terminals to a predetermined spacing to form a terminal strip subassembly, means for maintaining the terminals at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to one. another during the separation of the end plates, said endplate holders also having open-ended horizontal slots to permit the terminals to be inserted longitudinallyinto the aligned apertures of the end plates and to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the end-plate holders when-the completed terminal strip subassembly is subsequently ejected from the device, one of said endplate holders having a plurality of vertical bores arranged transversely through said slots, a plurality of spaced guide pins positioned reciproca'bly in said bores, said guide 'pins cooperating with the slots in said. one end-plate holder for forming a plurality of rectangular guide passages for facilitating the insertion of thetenninals into relationship with respect to feeding and ejecting means to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the open ends of the slots during the ejection of the completed terminal strip subassembly from the device.

4. In apparatus for assembling a pair of end plates having noncircular apertures therein with a plurality of pretwisted, elongated terminals made of stiif but resilient material and of noncircular cross section designed for close reception within corresponding apertures in the end plates, said apparatus including means for feeding a plurality of terminals longitudinally, the improved device for holding the end plates to facilitate longitudinal insertion of terminals into corresponding apertures in the end plates and for positioning the end plates relative to the terminals to form a cage-like terminal strip subassembly, which device comprises a pair of end-plate holders, at least one of which is mounted for movement with respect to the other between a terminal-loading position wherein the end-plate holders are in close proximity and a terminal-locking position wherein the end-plate holders are separated widely, each of said end plate holders having an end-plate receiving channel extending therethrough for holding an apertured end plate with the apertures thereof in an aligned relationship with the apertures in another end plate held in the other of said end-plate holders to facilitate the longitudinal insertion of terminals into the aligned apertures while the end-plate holders are in the terminal-loading position, magazine means for storing a plurality of end plates, means cooperating with the magazine means for urging the end plates into paths aligned with the channels in the end-plate holders, means for successively feeding the end plates along said paths into one end of each of the channels of said end-plate holders and for ejecting the end plates with the terminals therein from the opposite ends of the channels of said holders, means for moving at least one'of said end-plate holders relative to the other from the terminal-loading position to the terminal-locking position so that the end plates are separated longitudinally of the inserted term-inals to a predetermined spacing to form a terminal strip subassembly, and means for maintaining the terminals at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to one another during the separation of the end plates, said endplate holders also having open-ended passages to permit the terminals to be inserted longitudinally into the aligned apertures of the end plates and to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the end-plate holders when the completed terminal strip subassembly is subsequently ejected from the device.

5. A device as defined by claim 4 in which the feeding and ejecting means comprises a pivotable ejecting member having a laterally projecting end-plate engaging portion at the free end thereof, a slidable feedingmember connected pivotab ly to said ejecting member, means connected to said ejecting member to impart reciprocable movement thereto and to the feeding member, and means for resisting sliding movement of the feeding member, said feeding member, said resisting means and said movement imparting means cooperating in such a manner as to cause pivotable movement of the ejecting member to move the end-plate engaging portion thereof into a first positionaligned with the path of an end plate for ejection of the end plates out of the associated end-plate holder as the feeding member is moved in a feeding direction and into a second position removed from the path of travel of the end plates as the feeding member is moved in an opposite direction.

6. A device for holding a plurality of apertured end plates to facilitate longitudinal insertion of a plurality of elongated, pretwisted, noncircular terminals into complementary apertures of the end plates and positioning the end plates relative to the terminals to form a cagelike terminal strip subassembly, which device comprises a pair of end-plate holders, at least one of which is mounted for movement withrespect to the other between a terminal-loading position wherein the end-plate holders are in close proximity and a terminal-locking position wherein the end-plate holders are separated widely, each of said end-plate holders having an endplate receiving channel extending therethrough for holding an apertured end plate with the apertures thereof in an aligned relationship with the apertures in another end plate held in the other of said end-plate holders to facilitate the longitudinal insertion of terminals into the aligned apertures while the end-plate holders are in the terminal-loading position, magazine means for storing a plurality of end plates, means cooperating with the magazine means for urging end plates into alignment with the channels in the end-plate holders, means for successively feeding the end plates into one end of each of the channels of said end-plate holders and for ejecting the end plates with the terminals therein from the opposite ends of the channels of said end-plate holders, retaining means for limiting the movement of the end plates during insertion of the end plates into the channels of the endplate holders, means for moving at least one of said endplate holders relative to the other from the terminal-loading position to the terminal-locking position so that the end plates are separated longitudinally of the inserted terminals to a predetermined spacing to form a terminal strip subassembly, means for maintaining the terminals at predetermined longitudinal positions relative to one another during the separation of the end plates, a movable guide for supporting portions of the terminals intermediate of one of the said end-plate holders and said terminal position maintaining means, said movable guide and said end-plate holders also having horizontal open-ended parallel slots arranged in aligned relationship to each other and to apertures in the end plates to permit the terminals to be inserted longitudinally into the aligned apertures of the end plates and to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the end-plate holders when the completed terminal strip subassembly is subsequently ejected from the device, a plurality of spaced guide pins positioned extending transversely to said slots in one of said end-plate holders, said guide pins cooperating with the slots in said one end-plate holder for forming a plurality of rectangular guide passages facilitating the insertion of the terminals into the apertures of the end plates held in said end-plate holders, and means for moving the guide pins in timed relationship with respect to feeding and ejecting means to permit lateral movement of the terminals through the open ends of the slots during the ejection of the completed terminal strip subassenrbly from the device.

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